Independence Day
The same, but different
We Americans have been celebrating Independence Day for many years with fireworks, parades, waving flags, concerts, going to the beach or pool, eating and drinking with friends and family…from what I’ve seen, most of us did just that over the weekend.
The fireworks display in NYC was spectacular, the concert in Boston was as fine as ever. Our neighborhood had a small parade that has been going on for 25 years, that starts at the “old folks home” and features kids on their bikes, a firetruck, sports cars and a dixieland band.
The difference that I noted at the parade and at our community pool were folks of all ages wearing No Kings Day, ACLU, Labor Union and other “resistance” related T-shirts. There were some conversations about “current events”, but most folks wanted to enjoy the weekend, have fun with the kids and focus on the historic meaning of July 4. (The King must have had a tizzy…can you imagine his text rant if he could have…)
Living in Baltimore we know that the current occupant of the White House does not have a lot of support here…never has, never will. He got to sign his bill and make the 4th of July show that he wanted to do. So we are now living with his budget wish list for awhile. The Federal focus on our 250th Anniversary next year will come from Trump, so I guess YMCA will get played…which makes no sense with Trumps supporters, since it was a gay anthem…anyway we are stuck with his national agenda and bizarre song choices for awhile.
How stuck and how long remains to be seen. We are collectively writing a new page everyday and co-creating what America will be. Will the man who would be king take over and we become serfs again, or will there be a “new birth of freedom” ?
Personally I intend to not curl up in a ball and moan about what we have lost…but do what I can, collaborate where I can and I hope help inspire others to embrace freedom for all…to not lose what it’s taken 250 years to achieve, freedom from slavery, women’s right to vote, Union rights, Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid, Environmental Protections, National Parks, Gay rights and so much more.
I don’t want to go backwards to a white patriarchal society …but continue forwards.
I wish that I could do it in this Ferrari that was at the parade, but that’s out of my small, modest budget…unless Lotto comes through….and even then, it’s not how I’d spend my money…but I would like to drive it…
Going forward, Trump and his republican Congress are going to have to own the things that don’t go well. It’s on them. Their actions and capitulations are already directly hurting different segments of the population. I believe it’s just going to get worse and directly affect all of us (except the 1%) because of their budget cuts, ridiculous tariff threats and getting rid of skilled, experienced people in every possible Government agency.
So if you have news from your community, or thoughts on going forward please share it here. I will be writing about what we are planning and doing in the near future.
Today is Ringo’s birthday and he wishes “Peace to all”.